A fraudulent conman has been sentenced to six months behind bars after he tricked an Alzheimer 's patient into believing he would do building work on his property before charging him £12,000. Martin Paul Jacks of Greystoke Drive, Bilborough, Nottingham was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on November 11 after he pleaded guilty to the crimes committed between 2014 and 2017.
The 41-year-old swindler, who claimed he worked for a company called 'Riverside', visited the man at his home in Grantham multiple times over a period of three years to sell him building work on his property which he never intended to complete. Over the course of these visits, Mr Jacks took over £12,000 in cheques from the vulnerable man and was eventually caught out by concerned neighbours, Lincolnshire Live reports.
The police were called after a neighbour saw the crook force his way into the man's home to try and get more money off him and when they arrived it was Mr Jacks who answered the door. After a failed attempt to flee the scene, police caught the criminal after chasing him down the street and handed his case to Lincolnshire Trading Standards.
Principal Trading Standards officer, Andy Wright, investigated the claims. He said: "Jacks drove specifically from his home in Nottingham to Grantham to prey on his victim.
"Mr A was a frail, elderly man who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Jacks clearly thought of him as an easy target. Mr A was undoubtedly scared of Jacks.
"Our investigation revealed that Jacks had visited his victim on a number of occasions over three years and taken cheques for fictitious building work. He then used a cheque cashing service in Nottingham to obtain his ill-gotten gains.
"Court backlogs have delayed this case coming before a judge, but we’re pleased to see the judge agree that Mr Jacks should be behind bars. In this case it was only the vigilance of a close neighbour who saw Jacks force his way in, and the rapid response of Lincolnshire Police in Grantham, that helped us brings Jacks to justice."
Martyn Parker, assistant director for public protection at Lincolnshire County Council, added: "On this occasion, simply looking out for a neighbour helped bring this career criminal to justice. Mr A lived alone, and so his neighbours keeping an eye on him, and their quick action in calling the police, helped stop Martin Jacks from continuing to target him.
"This case also highlights the close working relationship between Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Trading Standards; both organisations work tirelessly to protect vulnerable residents like Mr A and stop the criminals who choose to take advantage of them."
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